Defra Group Senior Scientist - Bovine Tuberculosis

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish and Welsh Governments. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

APHA are world leaders in bovine tuberculosis (TB) research and surveillance, with our work contributing to Defra’s TB eradication plan which has the aim of eradicating the disease by 2035. Work includes a statutory bovine TB testing programme, a bovine TB vaccine development programme (with field trials currently taking place) and complementary research studies, alongside development of novel diagnostics, use of genomics technologies and surveillance tools. This work is conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories and animal accommodation including large animal high containment facilities. APHA is also a World Organisation for Animal Wealth (WOAH) reference laboratory for mammalian TB.

The Bovine TB Immunology & Vaccines team in the Department of Bacteriology is looking for an experienced scientist to contribute to APHA’s work in this area. The job holder will manage staff, lead and deliver projects (including funding applications), engage with Defra policy and external stakeholders, and produce high impact publications. They will work within a wider multidisciplinary team, including epidemiologists and veterinarians, providing an exciting opportunity to develop the profile of this area of work and themselves.

We are seeking applicants with a PhD or equivalent relevant experience. The successful candidate must have demonstrable experience and evidence of outputs commensurate with leading a team. Applications are invited from enthusiastic and self-motivated scientists with excellent verbal and written communication skills, good management abilities and proven analytical capabilities.

Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, flexible working, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.

Other Information

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all postholders based at the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the CTC residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have a minimum of 3 years continuous UK residency. If you cannot meet this criteria CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post.

Closing date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 9 February 2024.